BIOCHIMICA GENERALE - BIOCHIMICA APPLICATA MEDICA A - L

Module BIOCHIMICA APPLICATA MEDICA

The course aims to provide the basic knowledge of the fundamental principles inherent in biochemical methodologies in the biomedical field and the applications of biochemical-clinical investigation methodologies for the study of the structure and function of the main biological macromolecules; the student who has passed the exam will be able to have the basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of biochemical methodologies in the biomedical field.

D1. Knowledge and comprehension skills: At the end of the course, the student will be able to know and understand the main biochemical methodologies, be able to describe the principles of each methodology in detail, molecular and know the applications of the techniques studied. The student must show that he has a mastery appropriate to the professional profile of the Pharmacist.

D2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to demonstrate his understanding of the concepts and theories provided by the course; he will therefore be able to identify the most suitable technique to obtain structural and functional information of macromolecules, know how to perform simple problems that provide for the application of the studied techniques and know how to use them according to the type of study/parameter required.

D3 Judgment: At the end of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate his ability to autonomously use knowledge and concepts that allow him to reason according to the specific logic of the discipline. It must be able, in particular, to understand and identify a process of analytical techniques aimed at studying a specific sample or parameter.

D4 Communication skills: The student must demonstrate that he can communicate in an in-depth, precise and exhaustive way, his knowledge and experimental scientific results and must demonstrate that he can synthesize and simplify the topics in a popular way to make them understandable while adopting adequate and precise terminology.

D5 Learning skills: The student must demonstrate that he can reach conclusions independently, based on what has been learned from the program, and that he can understand the potential of research in the biochemical field. The student will acquire the ability to interpret and independently judge laboratory tables, in order to apply the knowledge acquired in the exercise of the profession.

Front-facing teaching with slide show and/or short films. The teaching didactics is developed in such a way as to stimulate the student's ability to orient himself autonomously in the selection and consultation of scientific texts and journals.

The teaching material used in class will be available to students through the "studium" platform.

If the teaching is carried out in mixed or distance mode, the necessary variations may be introduced in order to comply with the planned program and reported in the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or ASD:

To guarantee equal opportunity and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensative measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the referring teacher CInAP (Center for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or DSA) of our Department, Prof.ssa Santina Chiechio.

Basic knowledge of general biochemistry is essential, with particular reference to the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the main mechanisms for regulating cellular processes. In order for the student to understand the contents covered and, in order to promote an adequate learning process, it is necessary to pass the General Biochemistry module exam before taking the Applied Medical Biochemistry exam

•  Introduction to applied biochemistry.
  
•  Laboratory set-up and instrumentation and main biochemical methodologies
  
• ·Preparation and handling of biological samples: methods of tissue homogenization, methods of cell lysis (mechanical and non-mechanical); separation and purification of subcellular organelles;
  
• Use and preparation of buffer solutions
• Centrifugation: centrifuges, rotors, differential and density gradient centrifugation
• Chromatographic techniques: generalities and definitions.
  
• Electrophoretic techniques: general principles, electrophoretic mobility and relationship between mobility, charge, applied electric field and molecule size; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot; nucleic acid electrophoresis.
  
• Spectrophotometric methods for the study of biological molecules and in enzymology: generalities and definitions; absorption spectra of certain molecules of biological interest; Lambert-Beer law and quantitative assays; examples of protein and enzyme assays (unit of enzymatic activity, specific activity); enzymatic assays in kinetics and fixed-time.
• Clinical applications of enzymes: enzymes as analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

• Immunological assays: Production of monoclonal antibodies, (biosensors, direct and indirect E.L.I.S.A. methods).
  
• Restriction enzymes in recombinant DNA technology.
  
• DNA cloning and isolation techniques; gene amplification by PCR.
  
• Implications and applications of biotechnology in research, medicine and agriculture.
  
• Cell cultures: primary, secondary, cell lines and culture methods.
  

• “Biochimica Applicata” (Stoppini, Bellotti) -EdiSES
• "Metodologie biochimiche” (Bonaccorsi, Contestabile, Di Salvo) - ed. Zanichelli-CEA

Oral or written exam (with open-ended questions).

In both cases, the student will be asked at least 3 questions to verify and evaluate:

• Knowledge of the topics listed in the program;
• Knowledge of the methods and technologies covered by the examination application;
• The degree of communicative ability (use of correct scientific language – conciseness, clarity and effectiveness in response and/or argumentation);
• The ability to use the knowledge acquired to solve specific questions, demonstrating the ability to reason and make connections between the various topics.

The verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, if the conditions require it.

Informations for students with disabilities and/or SLDs: To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) representative for our Department, Prof. Santina Chiechio.

The grade derives from the maturity and competence demonstrated by the student in the exposition of the topics that are the subject of the questions asked. The final vote will be attended by the relevance of the answers to the questions asked, the ability to connect with other topics on the agenda, the communication skills (property of the scientific language used, conciseness, clarity and effectiveness of the answer).

The final evaluation will take into account the relevance of the answers, the quality and completeness of the contents, the ability to link and apply knowledge, the property of scientific language and the overall exposory capacity.

The assessment is expressed in thirtieths according to the following criteria:

18-20/30 - the student demonstrates an essential knowledge of the fundamental topics of the course and the principles of the main biochemical methodologies. The exposure has some inaccuracies, but it allows you to highlight the achievement of the minimum objectives. The ability to make connections and apply knowledge is limited.

21-23/30 - the student demonstrates an adequate and generally correct knowledge of the topics of the course and the principles of the methodologies treated. He is able to make simple connections and apply the knowledge acquired to questions related to biochemical methodologies and their applications. The exposure is sufficiently clear and the scientific language is generally appropriate.

24-26/30 - the student demonstrates a good and articulated knowledge of the topics, an adequate ability to apply knowledge and to make links between the different contents of the course. Demonstrates a good reasoning ability in addressing the proposed questions. The exposition is clear and the scientific language is appropriate.

27-29/30 - the student demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the topics and a high ability to apply the knowledge acquired, make connections and develop an autonomous reasoning on the proposed questions. The exposition is clear, effective and characterized by a good command of scientific language.

30/30 - the student demonstrates a complete, thorough and rigorous knowledge of the topics of the course, a high ability to apply and integrate knowledge and a full ability to connect and reason. The presentation is particularly clear, effective and rigorous and demonstrates a full mastery of scientific language.

30/30 cum laude: in addition to the requirements required for the achievement of 30/30, the student demonstrates a particular mastery and in-depth understanding of the discipline, an excellent ability to reason, integrate and connect the different topics of the course and a particularly rigorous and effective exhibition capacity.

Not eligible: the student does not demonstrate at least essential knowledge of the fundamental topics of the course and/or is not able to describe the principles of the main biochemical methodologies taught, even in the presence of an adequate exposory capacity.

Exam dates are published on the Course of Study website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

• Electrophoretic techniques and their use
• Centrifugation
• Determination of enzyme activity
• E.L.I.S.A. methods
• Examples of applications of spectrophotometric techniques